Legislative Notebook: Nov. 18, 2012

Published: Sunday, November 18, 2012 at 10:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 10:49 p.m.

The state Bond Commission approved $6.8 million in non-cash lines of credit this past week for construction projects in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes.

Gov. Bobby Jindal recommended the funding lines that will allow local officials to leverage the state’s borrowing power to advance, and in some cases finish, infrastructural upgrades.

Included was $1.5 million for the Morganza-to-the-Gulf Hurricane Protection project, with the money probably being used for work on the Little Caillou Floodgate.

Another $4 million has been tagged for an Integrated Petroleum Technologies Program and a related lab and classroom building at L.E. Fletcher Technical Community College.

The Terrebonne Parish community college has already received $4 million for the project through a grant from BP.

Fletcher also received approval for $200,000 for a diesel marine, welding and transportation building.

Other non-cash lines of credit the commission approved this past week included $710,000 for port slip dredging and related work in Terrebonne Parish; $200,000 for the Upper Bayou Dularge Pump Station planning and construction; and $200,000 for athletic facilities renovations at Nicholls State University.

Panel delays vote on phone charges

With opposition mounting from the sheriffs and prison officials, the Louisiana’s Public Service Commission delayed a vote Thursday on reducing the fees that telephone companies can charge inmates for communicating with their families and others.

Commissioner Jimmy Field of Baton Rouge, who represents Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes on the PSC, said he planned on supporting the initiative.

Field said prior to the meeting that a PSC investigation found “that the rates charged for inmate phone calls are, in many instances, not just and reasonable, so corrective action is necessary.”

The April 2011 investigation also revealed that the average rate for collect calls from Louisiana jails is 30 cents per minute — 15 times higher than standard calls made outside prisons.

In the Bayou State, one out of every 86 adults are serving time, which is nearly double the national average and 15 times higher than the rate in China.

Commissioner Foster Campbell of Bossier City has proposed a 25 percent cut in inmate telephone rates and the elimination of unauthorized add-on fees.

Opponents argue the rates represent revenue for law enforcement officials, money that would have to possibly be replaced by taxpayers if reduced.

Commissioner to keep LSU position

Former Natural Resources Secretary Scott Angelle of Breaux Bridge said he’s excited about replacing Public Service Commissioner Jimmy Field of Baton Rouge after the turn of the year.

Field has decided to retire and Angelle recently won the vacant 2nd District seat to represent Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes on the PSC.

Both men are Republicans.

In taking on the elected task, Angelle said he will also be able to remain on the LSU Board of Supervisors.

Gov. Bobby Jindal appointed him to the board in August, around the time Angelle resigned from the Department of Natural Resources to run for the PSC.

“There’s no prohibition about an elected official serving on the board,” Angelle said, noting that his predecessor, Tony Falterman, was appointed while serving as district attorney.

Congressman focuses on dyslexia

Along with Rep. Pete Snark, a California Democrat, Cassidy created the caucus, and both were celebrated by the Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity this past week.

The Yale Center director, Dr. Sally Shaywitz, called their shared efforts a “pro-active movement forward in the battle to address dyslexia,” which affects one in five children.

Cassidy said he is committed to and passionate about the cause.

From a local perspective, Cassidy is booster on Capitol Hill for the Louisiana Center for Dyslexia and Related Learning Disorders at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux.

“Dyslexia is a challenge which can be addressed,” Cassidy said. “Americans with dyslexia have the best chance to succeed and contribute when they receive educational interventions and accommodations which empower them to do so.”

Cassidy, who represents northern Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes in the 6th Congressional District, said it is the aim of the caucus to “advocate for dyslexics and their families.”

The ceremony opened the caucus’ Dyslexia Awareness Event, which featured a screening of HBO’s “The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia” at the Shaw Center in Baton Rouge.

It also featured a forum on the past, present and future of dyslexia at Pennington Biomedical Research Center.

For more information on the Congressional Dyslexia Caucus and its activities, visit http://dyslexiacaucus-cassidy.house.gov/.

<p class="bold allcaps">Lines of credit benefit projects</p>
<p>The state Bond Commission approved $6.8 million in non-cash lines of credit this past week for construction projects in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes. </p><p>Gov. Bobby Jindal recommended the funding lines that will allow local officials to leverage the state's borrowing power to advance, and in some cases finish, infrastructural upgrades. </p><p>Included was $1.5 million for the Morganza-to-the-Gulf Hurricane Protection project, with the money probably being used for work on the Little Caillou Floodgate. </p><p>Another $4 million has been tagged for an Integrated Petroleum Technologies Program and a related lab and classroom building at L.E. Fletcher Technical Community College. </p><p>The Terrebonne Parish community college has already received $4 million for the project through a grant from BP. </p><p>Fletcher also received approval for $200,000 for a diesel marine, welding and transportation building.</p><p>Other non-cash lines of credit the commission approved this past week included $710,000 for port slip dredging and related work in Terrebonne Parish; $200,000 for the Upper Bayou Dularge Pump Station planning and construction; and $200,000 for athletic facilities renovations at Nicholls State University.</p><h3>Panel delays vote on phone charges</h3>
<p>With opposition mounting from the sheriffs and prison officials, the Louisiana's Public Service Commission delayed a vote Thursday on reducing the fees that telephone companies can charge inmates for communicating with their families and others.</p><p>Commissioner Jimmy Field of Baton Rouge, who represents Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes on the PSC, said he planned on supporting the initiative.</p><p>Field said prior to the meeting that a PSC investigation found “that the rates charged for inmate phone calls are, in many instances, not just and reasonable, so corrective action is necessary.”</p><p>The April 2011 investigation also revealed that the average rate for collect calls from Louisiana jails is 30 cents per minute — 15 times higher than standard calls made outside prisons.</p><p>In the Bayou State, one out of every 86 adults are serving time, which is nearly double the national average and 15 times higher than the rate in China.</p><p>Commissioner Foster Campbell of Bossier City has proposed a 25 percent cut in inmate telephone rates and the elimination of unauthorized add-on fees.</p><p>Opponents argue the rates represent revenue for law enforcement officials, money that would have to possibly be replaced by taxpayers if reduced.</p><h3>Commissioner to keep LSU position</h3>
<p>Former Natural Resources Secretary Scott Angelle of Breaux Bridge said he's excited about replacing Public Service Commissioner Jimmy Field of Baton Rouge after the turn of the year. </p><p>Field has decided to retire and Angelle recently won the vacant 2nd District seat to represent Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes on the PSC. </p><p>Both men are Republicans. </p><p>In taking on the elected task, Angelle said he will also be able to remain on the LSU Board of Supervisors. </p><p>Gov. Bobby Jindal appointed him to the board in August, around the time Angelle resigned from the Department of Natural Resources to run for the PSC. </p><p>“There's no prohibition about an elected official serving on the board,” Angelle said, noting that his predecessor, Tony Falterman, was appointed while serving as district attorney.</p><h3>Congressman focuses on dyslexia</h3>
<p>U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, was recently honored for founding and co-chairing the Congressional Dyslexia Caucus.</p><p>Along with Rep. Pete Snark, a California Democrat, Cassidy created the caucus, and both were celebrated by the Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity this past week. </p><p>The Yale Center director, Dr. Sally Shaywitz, called their shared efforts a “pro-active movement forward in the battle to address dyslexia,” which affects one in five children. </p><p> Cassidy said he is committed to and passionate about the cause. </p><p>From a local perspective, Cassidy is booster on Capitol Hill for the Louisiana Center for Dyslexia and Related Learning Disorders at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux. </p><p>“Dyslexia is a challenge which can be addressed,” Cassidy said. “Americans with dyslexia have the best chance to succeed and contribute when they receive educational interventions and accommodations which empower them to do so.”</p><p>Cassidy, who represents northern Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes in the 6th Congressional District, said it is the aim of the caucus to “advocate for dyslexics and their families.” </p><p>The ceremony opened the caucus' Dyslexia Awareness Event, which featured a screening of HBO's “The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia” at the Shaw Center in Baton Rouge. </p><p>It also featured a forum on the past, present and future of dyslexia at Pennington Biomedical Research Center. </p><p>For more information on the Congressional Dyslexia Caucus and its activities, visit http://dyslexiacaucus-cassidy.house.gov/.</p>